Team Lead, Manufacturing

Watlow; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Watlow, a global leader in thermal systems, seeks a Manufacturing Team Lead in St. Louis to guide a production cell toward SQDC targets.

You will coach operators, apply Lean and WBS tools, and drive continuous improvement to meet safety, quality, delivery, and cost goals. You’ll manage attendance, allocation, and performance, partner with HR and HS&E on staffing and safety, and use RCCA to resolve issues quickly.

Qualifications

• Leading a production team to meet SQDC targets and schedule commitments.
• Implementing Lean and WBS-based improvements across cells.
• Coaching and developing operators to build capability and accountability.
• Strong data-driven decision making to improve performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily production activities to achieve SQDC targets for assigned cells.
• Drive continuous improvement using Lean and WBS methodologies.
• Manage team performance, attendance, and manpower allocation.
• Resolve issues quickly with RCCA methodologies.
• Foster a safe, organized, and high-performing work environment with 6S and MDI.
• Collaborate with leadership, HR, and HS&E on staffing and safety initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Coaching

Team-building

Data-driven decisions

Lean manufacturing

Continuous Improvement

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate’s degree or technical certificate preferred

Tools

Watlow Business System (WBS)

Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA)

6S

MDI

Job description

Team Lead, Manufacturing

St. Louis, MO

At Watlow’s Global Headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri, we combine a rich legacy with forward-thinking innovation. Founded in 1922 in the heart of St. Louis, Watlow has grown from a small heating element manufacturer into a global leader in thermal systems. Our headquarters is more than just an office, it's a hub for collaboration, advanced engineering, and customer focused solutions.

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As a Manufacturing Team Lead, you will lead a team of production operators to achieve safety, quality, delivery, and cost (SQDC) targets that meet customer demand and support Value Stream goals. You’ll drive improvement efforts using the Watlow Business System (WBS) and foster a culture of continuous improvement, teamwork, and accountability.

We are looking for a proactive, hands-on leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is passionate about operational excellence. You’ll use problem-solving and coaching skills to build team capability, improve processes, and deliver superior results.

What You’ll Do

• Lead daily production activities to ensure SQDC goals are met in assigned cells.
• Support and drive continuous improvement using Lean and WBS methodologies.
• Manage team performance, attendance, and manpower allocation to meet capacity needs.
• Solve problems quickly using Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) methods.
• Foster a safe, organized, and high-performing work environment through 6S and MDI practices.
• Collaborate with leadership, Human Resources, and Health, Safety & Environmental (HS&E) teams on staffing and safety initiatives.

What You’ll Need To Succeed

• High school diploma or GED required; Associate’s degree or technical certificate preferred.
• 3–5 years of relevant experience in manufacturing or production leadership.
• Leadership training or prior supervisory experience preferred.
• Strong communication, coaching, and team-building skills.
• Ability to use data to drive decisions and performance improvements.
• Experience with Lean manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, and WBS tools.
• Proficiency with time and attendance systems and basic computer applications, preferred.

Other Requirements

• Ability to work more than 8 hours per day or 40 hours per week as needed.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally and stand or move frequently throughout the shift.